27 August 2022

God is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.’
From 1 Corinthians 1: 26-31 (NRSV)

Most of us have met people who are boastful – perhaps have even been boastful ourselves. Sometimes, it is born of arrogance and being full of themselves but surprisingly often, it comes from a lack of self-worth and the feeling that they have to convince everyone how great they are. Paul’s understanding of this is that God often chooses people who do not seem to have much going for them. They are often quicker to recognise their dependence on God and, when they do things that exceed expectations (including their own!), they are also quick to see that the capacity to do it has come from God. They may boast about the things they accomplish but always with the caveat that the one really worthy of praise is God at work through them.

• • Have you met people who boast a lot? And where do you think their need to boast came from?
  • When have you met people who have done great things but remained humble and aware of where their gifts came from? 

Think today about the things you could boast about. Acknowledge them – with gratitude for what God has done through you.